Bicyclist Sues Caltrans and San Mateo County After Crash

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Posted on November 10, 2018 by Allegiance Law

Old La Honda Road in Woodside is not the best road when it comes to safety. As described in this article, “It’s narrow, it’s steep, it’s one curve after another, and as the primary route to and from home for at least 75 households, it is not a road less traveled.”

One man is suing San Mateo County and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) after he suffered injuries in a bicycle crash on the road. He was riding his bike downhill on a clear day last year when he collided with the driver’s side door of a truck going uphill.

He is arguing that the road is “defective and dangerous” and that those in charge of its condition should have improved it. He says that “There are very low-cost preventative measures that can prevent this type of accident.”

At Allegiance Law, we know that there are many risks that bicyclists face. If you need a San Mateo bicycle accident attorney, you can count on us to be by your side, working to ensure you are fairly compensated for your injuries.

The Injuries

For the latest reporting year in California, there were 11,635 bicyclist injuries and 147 bicyclist fatalities. Almost all bicycle accidents result in some kind of injury or a fatality. This is because cyclists do not have any protection from an impact with a vehicle or with the ground. Bicyclists often suffer major injuries such as spinal cord damage, brain and head trauma, major soft tissue damage, and internal organ damage.

These injuries usually require extensive medical treatment. Sometimes surgery and rehabilitation are necessary for a full recovery. Unfortunately, there are times with bicyclists suffer long-term disabilities.

Road Conditions

As we see in the story above, road conditions can play a part in bicyclist safety. If the agencies tasked with ensuring the roads, sidewalks, and bike paths are well maintained do not do their jobs, they can cause major injuries. Regular inspections of all riding surfaces can go a long way towards keeping cyclists safe.

Other Factors

Driver negligence is a major contributor to bicycle accident injuries. We often see cases of careless drivers ignoring cyclists at right-of-ways and intersections.

We know that drunk drivers are dangerous to everyone on the roadways, particularly unprotected drivers. Distracted drivers, those who are busy looking at their phones, devices, or something else in their vehicles are a growing problem for bicycle riders.

What You Can Do

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident and you believe it was caused by someone else’s negligence, contact a qualified attorney today. At Allegiance Law, we want to make sure you are treated fairly. We know that you will encounter many expenses after an accident and we want to make sure you get the compensation you need. When you need a San Mateo bicycle accident attorney, you can contact us by calling 415-404-6395 for a free consultation.

To free yourself up to concentrate on recovering from your injuries, getting on with your life, and moving on from the auto accident, call Allegiance Law today for a free consultation with a skilled personal injury attorney.